PEOPLE have given a big thumbs-up to the Christmas lights display which adorned the town centre in Wellington.

A public survey saw 119 responses from people and there was a positive outlook on the festive lights.

Cllr Catherine Govier, speaking at Wellington Town Council’s town centre committee on Tuesday, January 17, said: “It’s great that we had such a good response to the survey.”

But while the survey comments were generally appreciative of the efforts which had gone into the displays, some people did ask that Rockwell Green should not be forgotten in the future.

“Add some lights down Rockwell Green,” said one person. “Tonedale had a Christmas tree, but Rockwell Green is always forgotten.”

“What about Rockwell Green?” wrote another person surveyed. “I remember having lights down there all through my childhood then all of a sudden, none! This wasn't even that long ago as I am only 26!

“Even Tonedale had a Christmas tree this year, but Rockwell Green gets left out and pushed out of everything, as always.

“The lights did look lovely, but let’s incorporate all of Wellington and not just the centre of town.”

Cllr Govier added: “We will have to get a Christmas tree in Rockwell Green next time.”

The Mayor, Cllr Mark Lithgow, said the problem with Rockwell Green was not a square or proper focal point for a tree.

But he added: “I think Wellington has got one of the best Christmas lights displays in Somerset and I think we knocks spots off lots of places including Taunton.”

Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: “The lights in general were very good and were appreciated as some people scaled back on their own lights at home because of the energy price increases.”

Councillors will have to decide on what they want to do going forward as a three-year contract with The Festive Lighting Company for the hire of the lights came to an end at Christmas 2022.

The lights were hired at a cost of £8,713 each year and were installed and removed by WGS Power and Lighting at a cost of £7,826 – a total of £16,539.

There was a suggestion that the council might want to look at expanding the lights scheme beyond its current remit.

But Cllr Marcus Barr, who a couple of years ago raised questions as to why the expenditure for Christmas lights in Wellington had gone passed £25,000 and successfully got the costs drastically reduced, said: “I don’t want the cost of the lights to start running away again. We have got value for money for our lights already.”

Councillors were told that the Christmas lights switch-on in Wellington town centre on November 26 saw a footfall of nearly 4,000 people – despite very wet and windy weather conditions.

Cllr Catherine Govier said: “It was a really good event and everyone involved should be congratulated.”